ANGRY Citizen readers have flooded our new Talkback phone line, demanding a longer prison sentence for a drug-crazed kidnapper who terrorised a young mum and her baby.

They are backing Darwen MP Janet Anderson's pledge to take up the matter with the Attorney General, the Right Honourable Sir Nicholas Lyell QC MP.

Callers said Wayne Gaskin (25), who was given a five-year jail sentence after admitting robbery and kidnapping charges, had got off lightly.

Gaskin struck as Patricia McBride and 11-week-old daughter Joanie waited in a car outside Blackburn's Asda supermarket. Her husband popped inside the store for groceries.

Gaskin jumped into the car and threatened to inject Joanie with a hypodermic needle, which he claimed was infected with the AIDS virus. He then drove them two miles before stealing Mrs McBride's possessions and dumping the mother and child.

Following Gaskin's appearance at Preston Crown Court the McBrides called for him to serve a life sentence.

Mrs McBride added: "People like Gaskin are scum. We are law-abiding citizens yet here's a case where somebody could be out in three years - where's the justice in that? He threatened to kill us. We feel really let down."

Talkback callers agreed. One said: "I think Gaskin's sentence is shocking. He should have got 10 years.

"The victim will continue to be frightened long after he is released. Imagine what the McBrides would feel like if he ever crossed their path again?"

In a letter sent to Sir Nicholas this week Mrs Anderson said: "Mr Gaskin was sentenced at Preston Crown Court to five years imprisonment. The family are extremely angry at what they view as an excessively lenient sentence in a very serious case.

"I should be most grateful if you could look into this case and let me know whether you consider the sentence should be referred to the Court of Appeal for review."

Another angry reader said: "Judges' decisions vary so much. A person who deals in soft drugs gets eight years, while Gaskin - who threatened to commit murder and kidnapped a defenceless mother and child - gets away with just five years. It doesn't add up.

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